They called out louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until blood gushed over them. Noon passed and they remained in a prophetic state until the time for offering sacrifice. But there was not a sound; no one answered, and no one was listening.
Both Elijah and the Divine Author of 1 Kings mocked the priests of Baal who hopelessly waited on a show of power by their heathen gods. Not only was there no answer and no one listening, there was no one to listen.
Philosophers today tell us that "primitive" nations peopled the universe with persons. Like their own stratified societies some of their imaginary persons were superior to others. Some were gods with significant powers to bless or curse; others were lowly spirits of trees and springs. Some might even reside in cattle, sheep, and insects.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims began the process of unpeopling the universe when they declared there is only one God. All others are no-gods, although there might be angels. All three Abrahamic religions tell stories about angels; one can hardly deny their existence in the light of this testimony. And Catholics retain their devotion to patron saints, that "communion of saints," who support our prayers as they await the second judgement and the Kingdom of God.
The Protestant Reformation would attempt further depopulating the spiritual world as they denounced the cult of Mary and the saints, turning all their attention to the one mediator, Jesus Christ.
Springing from and rebelling against that effort, the Enlightenment would deny the existence of God altogether, along with spirits of every sort. As one philosopher said when asked where God fits in his system, "I have no need of that hypothesis." Jean Paul Sartre added, "If there is a God, there shouldn't be."
What was left was simple matter, with its mathematical principles and predictable outcomes (determinism).
But we're still here, human persons -- unpredictable, unmanageable, confoundedly complicated and oddly beautiful.
One night, several years ago, I found myself pondering this mystery. It came down to an either/or for me. Either there is a "person" in the heart of all reality, or there is not. And a mechanical universe of pure matter became unimaginable for me. It just doesn't wash. Where do we come from if not from the "Person" who creates us in their own "image and likeness?"
Some might argue the human species occupies the top rank of all existing things; that this extraordinarily complex and frankly mysterious being happened to evolve. And might yet devolve since a materialistic universe can have neither purpose nor direction. But that hypothesis can be dismissed with simple derision. As anyone might ask, "What are the odds of such a bizarre occurrence?" The evolution of persons would have to overcome an infinite number of obstacles in an infinity of time.
So far as I can tell, materialism with its companion determinism has not satisfied philosophers, much less the rest of us, as they continued to ask, "Where do we come from? What is our purpose? Where are we going?"
Even when they agree that "we" decide where we're going, they cannot dismiss the possibility of a Higher Wisdom which guides us.
Elijah's opponents, the priests of Baal, were on the right track but, because there were no baals to hear them, they could only project their barbarism onto the spiritual world.
Jews teach the world, and their Christian and Muslim companions, that we must wait on the revelation of the One (personal) God who does hear and answer prayer. They remind us that this One God is no more manageable than any of us. We can ask but we cannot force the hand of God. Cats, dogs, and horses make good slaves and do not mind their loss of freedom, but the Personal God and God's human creatures retain their unpredictable right to choose.
So long as we're on this planet we'll continue to try to find ways to dismiss the God who creates, loves, saves, and satisfies us. But God is still here. Even when we kill him Our Lord does not go away.
Philosophers today tell us that "primitive" nations peopled the universe with persons. Like their own stratified societies some of their imaginary persons were superior to others. Some were gods with significant powers to bless or curse; others were lowly spirits of trees and springs. Some might even reside in cattle, sheep, and insects.
Jews, Christians, and Muslims began the process of unpeopling the universe when they declared there is only one God. All others are no-gods, although there might be angels. All three Abrahamic religions tell stories about angels; one can hardly deny their existence in the light of this testimony. And Catholics retain their devotion to patron saints, that "communion of saints," who support our prayers as they await the second judgement and the Kingdom of God.
The Protestant Reformation would attempt further depopulating the spiritual world as they denounced the cult of Mary and the saints, turning all their attention to the one mediator, Jesus Christ.
Springing from and rebelling against that effort, the Enlightenment would deny the existence of God altogether, along with spirits of every sort. As one philosopher said when asked where God fits in his system, "I have no need of that hypothesis." Jean Paul Sartre added, "If there is a God, there shouldn't be."
What was left was simple matter, with its mathematical principles and predictable outcomes (determinism).
But we're still here, human persons -- unpredictable, unmanageable, confoundedly complicated and oddly beautiful.
One night, several years ago, I found myself pondering this mystery. It came down to an either/or for me. Either there is a "person" in the heart of all reality, or there is not. And a mechanical universe of pure matter became unimaginable for me. It just doesn't wash. Where do we come from if not from the "Person" who creates us in their own "image and likeness?"
Some might argue the human species occupies the top rank of all existing things; that this extraordinarily complex and frankly mysterious being happened to evolve. And might yet devolve since a materialistic universe can have neither purpose nor direction. But that hypothesis can be dismissed with simple derision. As anyone might ask, "What are the odds of such a bizarre occurrence?" The evolution of persons would have to overcome an infinite number of obstacles in an infinity of time.
So far as I can tell, materialism with its companion determinism has not satisfied philosophers, much less the rest of us, as they continued to ask, "Where do we come from? What is our purpose? Where are we going?"
Even when they agree that "we" decide where we're going, they cannot dismiss the possibility of a Higher Wisdom which guides us.
Elijah's opponents, the priests of Baal, were on the right track but, because there were no baals to hear them, they could only project their barbarism onto the spiritual world.
Jews teach the world, and their Christian and Muslim companions, that we must wait on the revelation of the One (personal) God who does hear and answer prayer. They remind us that this One God is no more manageable than any of us. We can ask but we cannot force the hand of God. Cats, dogs, and horses make good slaves and do not mind their loss of freedom, but the Personal God and God's human creatures retain their unpredictable right to choose.
So long as we're on this planet we'll continue to try to find ways to dismiss the God who creates, loves, saves, and satisfies us. But God is still here. Even when we kill him Our Lord does not go away.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.